The money will be used to promote dental health in some of Los Angeles most underserved communities. The project is targeting areas that experience high rates of dental diseases, such as children with special needs, American Indian, and Alaska Native families.

“This grant recognizes our long history of service and engagement in underserved communities,” Cal State LA President William A. Covino said. “With this grant we will be able to assist children who desperately need dental care. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve in new ways.”

The stated goals of the grant include:

Increasing access to oral health care.

Identifying and treating dental disease.

Incentivizing continuity of care for children enrolled in Denti-Cal, a program that provides dental services to approximately 6 million children in California.

Deploying mobile care teams to provide oral health screenings.

Establishing ongoing relationships with a dentist.

“Oral health is directly connected with overall health status and well-being across the lifespan. Oral health can affect academic achievement, self-esteem, relationships, income, and quality of life,” Cal State LA Professor Rita Ledesma also added. She is the Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Engagement in the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services.

Cal State LA is one of 15 recipients of the Local Dental Pilot Project funding. The project will be directed by Ledesma and Ashley Munger, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies.